It is very concerning that the heavy rains last week triggered a dump of sewage into rivers and streams all around Sheffield. This happens every time rainfall is so heavy that sewers could back up into people’s homes. Sewage discharges are always a risk after downpours but Yorkshire Water releases more sewage into our rivers than nearly any other water company! They have been fined again and again, but these fines seem to make no difference and will ultimately just be passed on to us, the consumers.
The rains last week were the 16th time sewage was released into the Porter Brook this year. A river where many children love to paddle and play in the summertime. This is simply unacceptable and action must be taken to bring Yorkshire Water and other failing water companies back into public ownership. Since the water companies were privatised in 1989 it is estimated that between £72 billion and £85 billion has been paid out to shareholders, money that could have been reinvested to make our sewage and water systems fit for purpose, this can not continue.
We’re lucky in Sheffield to have river rangers who monitor water quality and report if there are issues. We’re lucky to have friends groups who pressure Yorkshire Water to do the right thing. But private water companies will always extract money as profit rather than investing it to fix our water system. Bringing water into public ownership is the only way to sort this out. Our water should be run in our interests.
If you don’t like the idea of your kids paddling in diluted sewage, please support the We Own It campaign, to have our water managed like the public resource it should be. You can also sign this petition to End the Sewage Pollution Scandal. Together we can get our rivers clean.
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If you want to check the status of sewage discharge sites then use the Surfers Against Sewage site. The Don Rivers Catchment Trust and the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust are working to make our rivers clean and beautiful places to walk along and be. Although our rivers can be enjoyed it is advised to be cautious after any heavy rainfall.
